Controlling Myopia: Insights from a Nation-Wide Clinical Practice Survey

Background/Objectives: To evaluate the knowledge and strategies employed by Italian ophthalmologists and orthoptists in control myopia progression. Methods: A comprehensive survey was developed, consisting of 26 questions focusing on various aspects of myopia progression control, and it was distributed electronically using the Google Forms platform to all members of the major ophthalmological and orthoptist societies (S.I.S.O. ETS, AIOrAO, AIMO, and SIOPS). Results: A total of 662 respondents were obtained. 68.88% of participants use myopia progression control into their clinical practice, and 78.1% feel adequately updated in this field. Myopia-defocus lenses emerge as the first-line method for controlling myopia progression in approximately 43.05% of cases, whereas 33.53% recommend only behavioral methods. Atropine is used at a concentration of 0.01% as the first choice (55.59% of responses). Among myopia-defocus technologies, 38.82% use DIMS lenses, while another 38.82% leave the choice to the optician. Peripheral defocus lenses and low-dose atropine are considered scientifically valid by a larger number of participants (79.61% and 58.31%, respectively). Conclusions: This survey indicates that many ophthalmologists consider themselves well-versed and updated in current management approaches. Peripheral defocus lenses and low-concentration atropine emerge as the most widely implemented therapeutic strategies, supported by the perceived strong scientific evidence for their efficacy.